Opening tomorrow, I have a piece that is intended, tongue in cheek, to apply a non-traditional standard about women's beauty to a cliche female figure, Aquarius with Hairy Legs.

The best part about the piece is that it's tactile, when you run your hand along her legs, you feel her stubbly hairs! I guess it's in the self-portrait show because it's important to me to revel in my body as I choose, hairy or otherwise, and this painting is a response to the societal beauty norm of shaved legs for women, which I think is a pain in the ass. The Funky Java, 40 W. Villa Park Ave. (at St. Charles), Villa Park, IL, reception is Feb. 5th, 7-10 p.m.